Team News (current roster)

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I'm thinking that starters will be:

Bailey
Keon
Pons
Fulk

And JJJ and Springer a nearly equal shot at the 5th slot.

Vescovi as the 5th option on the perimeter and AJ getting most of the minutes backing up the 4 and 5.

9th in the rotation could be who does not redshirt among Walker, ON, and Ticket.

Pember needs to redshirt and Uros fills a role as needed.

First 8 could all average 20 mpg.

 

[therickbol]

I'm thinking that starters will be:

Bailey
Keon
Pons
Fulk

And JJJ and Springer a nearly equal shot at the 5th slot.

Vescovi as the 5th option on the perimeter and AJ getting most of the minutes backing up the 4 and 5.

9th in the rotation could be who does not redshirt among Walker, ON, and Ticket.

Pember needs to redshirt and Uros fills a role as needed.

First 8 could all average 20 mpg.

I am on about the same page as you.

Starters:
Bailey
Keon
JJJ
Pons
Fulky

Springer, Vescovi getting lions share of guard minutes off the bench.
AJ, ORN getting lions share of post minutes.

That is 9 man rotation and I don't think we go 10 deep on a consistent basis. Gaines time will fluctuate based on opponents and wherever we need an energy boost in a particular game. Uros will battle with ORN for that last post spot. Could even fluctuate throughout the season.

 

[cncchris33]

I am on about the same page as you.

Starters:
Bailey
Keon
JJJ
Pons
Fulky

Springer, Vescovi getting lions share of guard minutes off the bench.
AJ, ORN getting lions share of post minutes.

That is 9 man rotation and I don't think we go 10 deep on a consistent basis. Gaines time will fluctuate based on opponents and wherever we need an energy boost in a particular game. Uros will battle with ORN for that last post spot. Could even fluctuate throughout the season.

Exactly my thoughts, as well.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

I am on about the same page as you.

Starters:
Bailey
Keon
JJJ
Pons
Fulky

Springer, Vescovi getting lions share of guard minutes off the bench.
AJ, ORN getting lions share of post minutes.

That is 9 man rotation and I don't think we go 10 deep on a consistent basis. Gaines time will fluctuate based on opponents and wherever we need an energy boost in a particular game. Uros will battle with ORN for that last post spot. Could even fluctuate throughout the season.

Vescovi was forced to play lots of minutes last season, I think his minutes will reduce and I believe Johnson, Vescovi, Springer and Bailey in that order will get Bowden and Vescovi's minutes from last season. Fulky and Pons will play less and those minutes will likely go to Anosike. Oliver, Gaines and Uros will fight for minutes all season. Come tournament time Barnes will rely on 7 maybe 8 guys, not hard to figure out who they are going to be. If healthy all season I believe our minutes will be led by Fulky, Pons and JJJ all getting around 30 per game with Johnson, Vescovi, Anosike and Springer getting the majority of the rest of the time. I think the Bailey talk is just coach speak and I'd be surprised if he got the same amount of minutes as Springer, Johnson or Vescovi.

 

[therickbol]

Vescovi was forced to play lots of minutes last season, I think his minutes will reduce and I believe Johnson, Vescovi, Springer and Bailey in that order will get Bowden and Vescovi's minutes from last season. Fulky and Pons will play less and those minutes will likely go to Anosike. Oliver, Gaines and Uros will fight for minutes all season. Come tournament time Barnes will rely on 7 maybe 8 guys, not hard to figure out who they are going to be. If healthy all season I believe our minutes will be led by Fulky, Pons and JJJ all getting around 30 per game with Johnson, Vescovi, Anosike and Springer getting the majority of the rest of the time. I think the Bailey talk is just coach speak and I'd be surprised if he got the same amount of minutes as Springer, Johnson or Vescovi.

We will see but I think Bailey is legit contributor.

 

[flowd82]

Pons, Fulky and Johnson are going to start. Write that down in stone. I think Springer is going to start at the wing opposite Johnson over James IMO, but that's just IMO in talking to people and not seeing anything and that could definitely change.

I think Bailey beats out Vescovi for the PG job, but that could go either way. Speculation on my part.

I think Anosike is the first big off the bench, then Vescovi and James will play a lot with Uros and ORN fighting to be the 9th guy who gets whatever minutes come up b/c of fatigue/foul trouble.

I think Pember redshirts and Gaines has a hard time getting on the court (even though he's a nice player), also think Corey Walker as of now is going to be challenged to put himself above ORN/)Plavsic though that could happen.

Rick has a lot of options all of a sudden.

-Rob Lewis, VQ.

 

[rdk4121]

Gaines has a couple of problems. He still needs to put on weight, plus his offensive game was pretty abhorrent last year. He's not entirely playable while shooting 15% from 3. He had his moments, but his offensive game still need a lot of work. I don't see how he'll get minutes over Jo, Keon, Jaden, Vescovi, or Bailey. Walker or Pons could also play on the wing. Maybe he gets some spot minutes, but he could use a redshirt.

 

[walkenvol]

-Rob Lewis, VQ.

Count me completely shocked if James isn’t starting. Springer and Johnson must be legit one and done types if so

 

[NoogaVol33]

Count me completely shocked if James isn’t starting. Springer and Johnson must be legit one and done types if so

I agree with this. Barnes loves him some JJJ for his length, defense, ball handling, and ability to play multiple positions.

 

[cncchris33]

Count me completely shocked if James isn’t starting. Springer and Johnson must be legit one and done types if so

It could be a case of wanting a bit of veteran presence in that second lineup.

If it ends up being Bailey, Springer, Johnson, Pons, Fulk, perhaps Barnes believes JJJ, Vescovi, and EJA can bring spark off the bench in relief. In the end and without accounting for the possibility of injury, I think all 8 of those guys end up averaging between 20 and 30 minutes. I dont know that we will see a single player average over 30.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Count me completely shocked if James isn’t starting. Springer and Johnson must be legit one and done types if so

As stated before who starts isn’t all that important as I think they’ll all get similar minutes...I wouldn’t be surprised if James gets the start simply based on experience and Springer off the bench but both guys playing equal minutes.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

It could be a case of wanting a bit of veteran presence in that second lineup.

If it ends up being Bailey, Springer, Johnson, Pons, Fulk, perhaps Barnes believes JJJ, Vescovi, and EJA can bring spark off the bench in relief. In the end and without accounting for the possibility of injury, I think all 8 of those guys end up averaging between 20 and 30 minutes. I dont know that we will see a single player average over 30.

I think Pons will, Fulk being close as well...the wing is where things will really be spread out imo.

Bailey 25/Vescovi 15
Johnson 10/Springer 25/Vescovi 5
James 25/Johnson 15
Pons 30/Anosike 10
Fulk 30/ Anosike 10

Pons 30
Fulk 30
Bailey 25
Johnson 25
Springer 25
James 25
Vescovi 20
Anosike 20

 

[JelloPuddinPup]

As stated before who starts isn’t all that important as I think they’ll all get similar minutes...I wouldn’t be surprised if James gets the start simply based on experience and Springer off the bench but both guys playing equal minutes.

I'm definitely more concerned with who finishes the games that starts them and I think Barnes has a team of high-IQ character guys that understand that. That's not to say they don't all want to start, every high-level competitor does. But I (in my opinion) believe they are ready to build for a championship and that means some players will sacrifice pride and optics to make that happen.

 

[cncchris33]

I think Pons will, Fulk being close as well...the wing is where things will really be spread out imo.

Bailey 25/Vescovi 15
Johnson 10/Springer 25/Vescovi 5
James 25/Johnson 15
Pons 30/Anosike 10
Fulk 30/ Anosike 10

Pons 30
Fulk 30
Bailey 25
Johnson 25
Springer 25
James 25
Vescovi 20
Anosike 20

Isn't that what I said?

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Isn't that what I said?

Yes wasn’t disagreeing, saying I think Pons & Fulk will be very close...probably play more in bigger games, was just laying it out.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

It feels like Gaines reportedly refusing a redshirt is the first domino to fall for a transfer after the season is over. But if that's the case I'm not sure why he wouldn't redshirt. It's just a weird situation all around. We're a guard heavy team and Gaines is a nice player, but I struggle to see him finding minutes on this squad. I honestly struggle to see a place for him in general moving forward. He is a voracious defender and plays with tons of energy, but his offensive game is lacking and he is a solid, not elite defender. Seems like a prime transfer candidate and why I think our 2021 class will have 5 signees in it.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

It feels like Gaines reportedly refusing a redshirt is the first domino to fall for a transfer after the season is over. But if that's the case I'm not sure why he wouldn't redshirt. It's just a weird situation all around. We're a guard heavy team and Gaines is a nice player, but I struggle to see him finding minutes on this squad. I honestly struggle to see a place for him in general moving forward. He is a voracious defender and plays with tons of energy, but his offensive game is lacking and he is a solid, not elite defender. Seems like a prime transfer candidate and why I think our 2021 class will have 5 signees in it.

Not sure why it’s a sign of transferring? He isn’t really hurting anyone except himself by not redshirting if he ends up not playing meaningful minutes. Also with COVID we don’t know the rules that will be implemented, in football they’re giving redshirts if you play in less than a certain percentage of games, they may do similar in basketball.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Not sure why it’s a sign of transferring? He isn’t really hurting anyone except himself by not redshirting if he ends up not playing meaningful minutes. Also with COVID we don’t know the rules that will be implemented, in football they’re giving redshirts if you play in less than a certain percentage of games, they may do similar in basketball.

Maybe I phrased it wrong. Maybe it's not a sign but it seems like an early indicator (to me) that he is going to struggle to find minutes moving forward, both this year and next, and so I feel like that in and of itself will result in a transfer. I just struggle to see a path forward for him. I don't think the situation looks any brighter for him in 2021 either. I've always thought that one of ORN, Gaines, and Pember would leave as our recruiting starts to pick up so it just wouldn't surprise me if it's Gaines now that reports say ORN will likely contend for that 9th spot.

 

[swchandler1988]

Maybe I phrased it wrong. Maybe it's not a sign but it seems like an early indicator (to me) that he is going to struggle to find minutes moving forward, both this year and next, and so I feel like that in and of itself will result in a transfer. I just struggle to see a path forward for him. I don't think the situation looks any brighter for him in 2021 either. I've always thought that one of ORN, Gaines, and Pember would leave as our recruiting starts to pick up so it just wouldn't surprise me if it's Gaines now that reports say ORN will likely contend for that 9th spot.

May be a bit premature to assume he’ll transfer just because he won’t get minutes this season. Fulk didn’t get serious minutes until 3 years in, same for Pons. Remember that player development is Barnes’ strong suit and a big reason recruits are drawn to Tennessee

 

[TheMookieMonster]

May be a bit premature to assume he’ll transfer just because he won’t get minutes this season. Fulk didn’t get serious minutes until 3 years in, same for Pons. Remember that player development is Barnes’ strong suit and a big reason recruits are drawn to Tennessee

I know that. But we're also seeing a huge talent spike in our recruiting lately. I'm not saying it's a guarantee, it's just how I personally feel. I haven't been huge on Ticket, and I know I'm probably on the minority side of that debate. I think he is a hell of a motor and plays with crazy energy, but not confident that's enough. The jury is 100% out on Gaines and I'm not saying there is no way he can become a contributor. The 2021 picture could be even more bleak for him depending on the JJJ/Keon/Springer NBA outcome.

This is just one man's opinion.

 

[cncchris33]

It feels like Gaines reportedly refusing a redshirt is the first domino to fall for a transfer after the season is over. But if that's the case I'm not sure why he wouldn't redshirt. It's just a weird situation all around. We're a guard heavy team and Gaines is a nice player, but I struggle to see him finding minutes on this squad. I honestly struggle to see a place for him in general moving forward. He is a voracious defender and plays with tons of energy, but his offensive game is lacking and he is a solid, not elite defender. Seems like a prime transfer candidate and why I think our 2021 class will have 5 signees in it.

Transferring right now would make more sense than redshirting this year and then transferring. He loses two years by doing that (without a waiver) versus only one by transferring now. If he stays thru this year, there isn't a whole lot of benefit in taking this year off as the potential certainly exists for him to get minutes by virtue of injury or COVID exposure to another guard that could open up playing time.

 

[cncchris33]

May be a bit premature to assume he’ll transfer just because he won’t get minutes this season. Fulk didn’t get serious minutes until 3 years in, same for Pons. Remember that player development is Barnes’ strong suit and a big reason recruits are drawn to Tennessee

Fulk isn't perhaps a great example of that just because we dont know how much the injury stunted his development, but he did average 16 mpg in his 10 games as a freshman, also drawing 6 starts.. There were even some rumors that he was the most impressive freshman on the team in 2016-17 and he flashed that potential against some good teams (UNC, Georgia Tech, and Oregon) before being injured. I always wondered how his career would have looked without that injury. Would he have built upon those performances and been a developing young stud alongside Grant Williams? As it is, we had to wait a couple years to see the fruits of his labor, but in hindsight, I think the injury and falling behind due to it played a significant role.

Yves Pons, which you mentioned, is a better example of a kid who came in and needed some seasoning to make an impact.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Maybe I phrased it wrong. Maybe it's not a sign but it seems like an early indicator (to me) that he is going to struggle to find minutes moving forward, both this year and next, and so I feel like that in and of itself will result in a transfer. I just struggle to see a path forward for him. I don't think the situation looks any brighter for him in 2021 either. I've always thought that one of ORN, Gaines, and Pember would leave as our recruiting starts to pick up so it just wouldn't surprise me if it's Gaines now that reports say ORN will likely contend for that 9th spot.

If we lose Keon and Springer and say best case scenario we land Chandler, Mashack, Banchero and Smith I definitely see minutes on the wing where Gaines could be needed next year.

Hypothetically...

Chandler/Bailey
Vescovi/Mashack
James/Gaines/Pember
Banchero/ORN/Walker
Smith/Plavsic


You miss on Banchero and/or Smith and the need for Gaines is even bigger.

 

[Vols All Day]

-Rob Lewis, VQ.

 

[LeannaVol]

I know that. But we're also seeing a huge talent spike in our recruiting lately. I'm not saying it's a guarantee, it's just how I personally feel. I haven't been huge on Ticket, and I know I'm probably on the minority side of that debate. I think he is a hell of a motor and plays with crazy energy, but not confident that's enough. The jury is 100% out on Gaines and I'm not saying there is no way he can become a contributor. The 2021 picture could be even more bleak for him depending on the JJJ/Keon/Springer NBA outcome.

This is just one man's opinion.

There is really no way to know what is going through his head but didn't he tweet something about being excited to see Chandler commit. That would lead me to believe he is still engaged with the team and his role. I am still pretty excited about what he could bring to the table if he continues to develop. He is long and athletic and plays with energy and those type guys don't grow on trees. Do we know he is against a redshirt or was that someone's speculation?